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Yust defense, prosecutors agree on DNA lab for tests

Kylr Yust, the accused killer of Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions, was in court again Jan. 21, where his defense team and prosecutors agreed on a company to perform a second set of DNA tests on the victims.

The defense will have DNA Solutions in Oklahoma test the remains to satisfy a request made during a hearing last month. The defense had chosen another lab, but the prosecution objected because that lab was not accredited. At that time, Judge William Collins instructed the two sides to talk it over and come up with an accredited lab they both agreed before last week’s hearing.

During last week’s hearing, the defense said the testing was scheduled for May 4-5 and results should be available about June 15. The prosecution balked at the date stating it would hinder their time before the trial date, which has been slated for July 27 through Aug. 7.

Collins told the defense to call the lab immediately to move the date up. After a short recess, the defense came back stating they can have results back from the lab in March if the remains are in their possession in February. The judge, prosecution and the defense all agreed and would meet back on the originally scheduled date of Feb. 3 for an update on the release of evidence and testing.

Kopetsky was 17 at the time of her disappearance, and was last seen alive at 9:19 a.m. May 4, 2007, on Belton High School surveillance footage. Runions was last seen alive Sept 8, 2016, when she and Yust were seen leaving a party in Grandview.

Both bodies were missing until April 2017, when they were discovered by a mushroom hunter in the area of 233 Street and Y Highway in Cass County. Yust was arrested for the murder of both women in October of that year.